Ability Detail

Stench is an ability in the Pokémon series that primarily provides a chance to cause the opponent to flinch when the Pokémon with Stench uses a damaging move. Specifically, in battle, this ability offers a 10% chance to make the target flinch, preventing them from acting in that turn, provided the user moves before the target. This flinch effect can be strategically advantageous in controlling the flow of battle.

Outside of battle, Stench has an additional utility effect: it reduces the wild Pokémon encounter rate by 50% if the Pokémon with this ability is in the first slot of the player's party. This can be particularly useful for players who wish to avoid frequent random encounters while traveling through areas with high wild Pokémon density.

Despite its flinch effect's low trigger rate, Stench can be combined with moves or strategies to create flinch-focused tactics. For instance, pairing it with moves that already have a high flinch rate or with items like King’s Rock can synergize well

Effects

This Pokémon's damaging moves have a 10% chance to make the target flinch with each hit if they do not already cause flinching as a secondary effect. This ability does not stack with a held item. Overworld: The wild encounter rate is halved while this Pokémon is first in the party.

Flavor Texts

ruby-sapphire: Helps repel wild POKéMON.

emerald: Helps repel wild POKéMON.

firered-leafgreen: Helps repel wild POKéMON.

diamond-pearl: The stench helps keep wild Pokémon away.

platinum: The stench helps keep wild Pokémon away.

heartgold-soulsilver: The stench helps keep wild Pokémon away.

black-white: The stench may cause the target to flinch.

black-2-white-2: The stench may cause the target to flinch.

x-y: The stench may cause the target to flinch.

omega-ruby-alpha-sapphire: The stench may cause the target to flinch.

sun-moon: By releasing stench when attacking, this Pokémon may cause the target to flinch.